“Broken Sex Doll” Jessie Award nominee Benjamin Elliott and his co-star Gili Roskies. Bettina Strauss photo.
Very exciting times! My theatre company, The Virtual Stage, was honoured at this week’s Nominations Party for the 31st Annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards with 8 nominations in the Small Theatre Category, sharing the top spot for most nominations in that category with Pi Theatre. My sci-fi musical comedy Broken Sex Doll, produced by The Virtual Stage and presented by The Cultch this spring, garnered 7 nominations, while my site-specific, smartphone-enabled, roving horror show The Zombie Syndrome received a Significant Artistic Achievement Award nomination.
THE VIRTUAL STAGE’S 2013 JESSIE AWARD NOMINATIONS
Broken Sex Doll
Outstanding Production
Outstanding Direction - ANDY THOMPSON
Outstanding Sound Design or Original Composition - ANTON LIPOVETSKY
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role – BENJAMIN ELLIOTT
Outstanding Costume Design – DREW FACEY
Outstanding Lighting Design – ITAI ERDAL
Significant Artistic Achievement: Musical Direction – ANTON LIPOVETSKY
The Zombie Syndrome
Significant Artistic Achievement: Logistical & Technical Innovation – Cast & Crew of The Zombie Syndrome
Complete 2013 Jessie Award Nominations List
The 31st Annual Jessie Awards Gala is open to the public and will be held at the Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville Street) on Monday June 24, 2013. Doors open at 5:30pm and ceremony starts at 6:45pm. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster 1-855-985-5000 or online at ticketmaster.ca.
The 3-Minute Broken Sex Doll
The Virtual Stage’s Jessie Award History
Since its inception in 2000, The Virtual Stage has produced 8 full-length theatre productions, 4 short plays, and 3 short films. The company has now been nominated for a total of 22 Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards in its history, winning 4.
Here is a look at The Virtual Stage’s past Jessie Award nominations (*denotes win):
2009 – No Exit
Outstanding Production*
Critics’ Choice Innovation Award*
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – LAARA SADIQ Outstanding Lighting Design – JOHN WEBBER
Outstanding Set Design – JAY GOWER TAYLOR
Outstanding Costume Design – KIRSTEN McGHIE
Outstanding Direction – KIM COLLIER
Significant Artistic Achievement: Video Design & Editing – ANDY THOMPSON & BOJAN BODRUZIC
Produced by The Virtual Stage and Electric Company Theatre
2007 - SPANK!
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – SASA BROWN*
Outstanding Costume Design – ENIGMA ARCANA
Significant Artistic Achievement: Outstanding Technical Design – JASON DAIGNEAULT, GREG DITSON, JAMIE GRIFFITHS, ADAM JONES, JAMIE NESBITT, ANDREW SHARP & ANDY THOMPSON
2003 – The Birth of Freedom
Outstanding Performance by an Actress In a Supporting Role – COLLEEN WHEELER*
Outstanding Original Play or Musical – ANDY THOMPSON
Outstanding Original Script by an Emerging Playwright – ANDY THOMPSON
